Best known as the leader (Pramukh) of a conservative, Indian Maharashtra state political party called the Shiv Sena, this politician also edited Saamana, his party's Marathi news publication.
He was appointed Chief of the Shiv Sena in 2004; two years later, a disagreement with his cousin Raj Thackeray resulted in the formation (by his cousin) of an opposing political party, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.
A photographer as well as a politician and newspaper editor, he was honored with a 2004 exhibition of his work at the Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai, India.
His marriage to Rashmi Thackeray resulted in two children. His father,
His son Aditya Thackeray had a career as both a politician and a poet.